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  • Women of the world, unite!

    Tomorrow is International Women’s Day, which is celebrated worldwide. In Pakistan, many events are organised to mark Women’s Day. Aurat March, which has been held since 2018, will be marked with rallies in several cities, including Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi.

    This year, Aurat March Lahore’s theme is women’s health and the issues faced by women and gender minorities. They are demanding that the health budget be increased to 5 per cent of the GDP. Aurat March organisers have highlighted how violence has always existed for women and gender minorities in Pakistan since before COVID-19 but the lockdowns and social isolation resulting from the pandemic have further exacerbated physical, emotional and sexual violence against them across the country.

    It is quite unfortunate that Pakistan ranks 151 out of 153 countries on the Global Gender Gap Index Report 2020 index, published by the World Economic Forum. The only two countries lagging behind Pakistan are Iraq and Yemen. This is not a surprise given the way our patriarchal society treats women. From blaming rape survivors to practices such as honour killing, vinni and swara (exchange of women, especially young girls, to settle disputes between families), child marriage, domestic violence and many other such anti-women practices, Pakistani society does not make life easy for women.

    Sexual harassment cases when reported or talked about are brushed under the carpet. We have seen how women don’t just face offline harassment and violence but online harassment of women has increased manifold. It is but a manifestation of the anti-women bias in society. Women politicians, journalists and activists are targeted online on a regular basis. But it is good to see Pakistani women breaking these chains and raising their voices for women empowerment and their rights.

    From leading lights such as Fatima Jinnah, Benazir Bhutto, Asma Jahangir, Malala and many others who paved the way for women and young girls in our society, the struggle continues. It will take a long time to achieve equal rights for women but there is no reason to lose hope. We have seen that when women take a stand, it leads to the betterment of society at large.

    For an inclusive, tolerant and progressive Pakistan, women have to be treated as equal human beings. Women of the world, unite, for you have nothing to lose but your chains.

  • ’کیوں بھی کہنا جرم ہے‘

    ’کیوں بھی کہنا جرم ہے‘

    مارچ 8 ، عورتوں کے عالمی دن کے طور پر منایا جاتا ہے . دنیا بھر کی خواتین ، دین و مسلک سے بےنیاز ہو کر ، اک زنجیر کی طرح بندھ جاتی ہیں . اپنے حق کے لیے آواز اُٹھاتی ہیں . اپنے وجود کو اک ماں ، بہن ، ِبیِوی ، اور بیٹی کے روپ سے نکال کر ، صرف ایک انسان ، صرف ایک عورت ہو کر اپنے لیے وہی حق مانگتی ہیں ، جو مردوں کے پاس ہیں . بنیادی انسانی حقوق جن کو اِس سماج نے عورتوں کے لیے لاحاصل بنا دیا . اِس لاحاصل کو حاصل کرنے پر جب عورتوں نے آواز اٹھانی شروع کی ، اور خصوصی طور پر پاکستان میں ، تو مردوں پر جیسے قیامت ہی بیت گئی . قیامت سے پہلے قیامت سی ہوگئی۔

    پورےسال میں ایک دن اگرعورت نے اپنےحق کےلیےآوازاٹھائی تواٹھائی کیوں؟آخرآج ہی کیوں ؟ آخر 8 مارچ کو ہی کیوں ؟ آخر اتنی ساری عورتیں کیوں ؟ مردوں کا کہنا تھا کہ انہوں نے آخر عورت کو کہا ہی کیا ہے جو عورت کو باہر آ کر با آواز بلند کہنا پڑا کے اُنہیں بنیادی حقوق دئیے جائیں ؟ ایسے بہت سے سوال مردوں كے ذہن میں ہر سال 8 مارچ کو آتے ہیں . ِپھر اُنہیں غصہ آتا ہے . ِپھر وہ غصے میں آ کر ​کہتے ہیں ​“ہم اپنی عورتوں کو اتنی عزت دیتے ​ہیں” اور اسی ​جملے کے اختتام پر مرد حضرات ماں بہن کی گالی بھی شامل کر دیتے ہیں . یہ لیں ، یہ ہے عورت کی عزت کی بریانی بنانے کی ترکیب . اِس ترکیب میں کچھ اور ​اجزاء بھی شامل کیے جا سکتے ہیں جیسے عورت کو مارنا ، اس پر ​تیزاب پھینکنا، اس پر جنسی تشدد کرنا ، اس کو بیٹی پیدا کرنے پر طلاق دینا ، اس کو مزید بچے پیدا نہ کرنے پر گھر سے نکال دینا، اس کو سڑک پر چلتے ہوئے ہاتھ مار جانا ، اس کے پیچھے گاڑی لگا کر اس کو احساس دلانا کے یہ زمین صرف مرد کے لیے ہے، اور مزید بہت سے اجزاء حسب ذائقہ ڈالے جا سکتے ہیں۔

    اسی شور اور ​واویلے کے بیچ میں عورتیں 8 مارچ کو ملک بھر میں پر امن احتجاج کرتیں ہیں . اور ہر عورت اپنی زندگی کے حساب سے اپنا حق مانگتی ہے. میں ہر سال ان ​پلے کارڈز کو بہت غور سے پڑھتی ہوں. تعلیم کے حق سے لے کر كھانا خود گرم کر لو تک ، مختلف ​مطالبات ان پلےکارڈز کے ذریعے اجاگر کیے جاتے ہیں . کچھ ​مطالبات ایسے ہیں جن سے میں ذاتی طور پر بھی ​اتفاق کرتی ہوں کیونکہ میں بھی ایک عورت ہوتے ہوئے بہت مشکل مرحلوں سے گزری ہوں . عورت مارچ میں کچھ ایسے ​پلےکارڈز بھی تھے جس سے یہ اندازہ لگانا مشکل نہیں تھا کہ یہ ​پلےکارڈ لانے والی لڑکی کس قدر بےبسی کا شکار ہو کر باہر نکلی ہے. اک پلےکارڈ پر ​“میں خود ایک گھر بناؤں گی جس میں سے تم مجھے نکال نہ سکو” لکھا تھا، مجھے لگا جیسے کسی بچی نے میرے جذبات کی آخر کار ترجمانی کر دی. وہ چھت ​فراہم کرنے والا جب بے گھر کرتا ہے ، تو یہ زمین عورت پر اور بھی تنگ ہوجاتی ہے  لیکن وہ عورت ہی کیا جو ہار جائے!

    ایسے بہت سے ​مطالبات دیکھتے ہوئے ایک ​مطالبے پر نظر پڑی جس میں لکھا تھا ​“میرا جسم میری ​مرضی” یہ بے ضرر سا ​پلےکارڈ دیکھ کر خیال یہی آیا کے ہاں ، خدا نے یہ جسم مجھے دیا ہے تو مرضی بھی میری ہی بنتی ہے. کوئی بھی شعور رکھنے والا انسان اِس سے متفق ہی ہو گا لیکن جنہیں شعور حاصل نہیں، وہ ہکا بکا رہ گئے  اور ہکا بکا رہنے والے تھے بھی مرد ان کا ردعمل ویسا ہی تھا جیسے میرا حال ہوا تھا جب میرے والدین نے مجھے بتایا تھا کہ میٹرک کے بعد ابھی اور پڑھنا ہے۔

    سوشل میڈیا پر ایک آگ سی لگ گئی، ان ​بے شعور لوگوں کا کہنا تھا کے ٹھیک ہے جسم عورت کا ہے ، لیکن اب کیا اِس جسم کے ساتھ کچھ بھی کرنےکےلیےہمیں اِجاَزت لینی ہوگی؟ کیاعورت کےجسم کوبھرے بازارمیں ایک دو سیکنڈ کی لذت حاصل کرنے کے لیے ہم مرد بغیر پوچھے ہاتھ بھی نہیں لگا سکتے؟ کیا عورت کے جسم کو ہم اپنا غصہ ​نکالنے کے لیے استعمال نہیں کر سکتے ؟ کیا اب جنسی عمل کے لیے ہمیں عورت سے اِجاَزت لینی ہوگی ؟ اب کیا ہم عورت کی مرضی کے خلاف اس کے جسم پر جنسی تشدد بھی نہیں کر سکتے ؟ کیا اب ہمیں عورت کو اپنی مرضی سے پہننے اور اوڑھنے کو برداشت کرنا ہوگا؟ مزے کی بات ہے کے ان میں زیادہ وہ لوگ تھے جو ​“میرا جسم میری مرضی” کو سمجھ رہے تھے کے ​“اچھا اب عورتیں ننگی ہو کر باہر نکلیں گئیں ؟” ارے صاحب عورت کو کبھی کپڑے کے ساتھ تولنا چھوڑ بھی دیا کریں۔

    اگر عورت نے ​واقعی اپنے جسم کو آپ سے محفوظ کرنے کا ​نعرہ بلند کیا ہے تو کیا غلط کیا ؟ اگر عورت نے سڑک پر بے خوف و خطر چلنے کا مطالبہ کیا تو کیا غلط کیا ؟ اگر عورت نے جنسی ہراسگی کے خلاف آواز اٹھائی تو کیا غلط کیا ؟ اگر عورت نے اپنے جسم کو درندوں کی طرح اکھاڑ پچھاڑ کے خلاف آواز اٹھائی تو کیا غلط کیا ؟ صاحب ، عورت کے جسم کی آزادی صرف دو گز کپڑے سے منسلک نہیں ہے . اس کے جسم کی آزادی اس کا باہر بے خوف و خطر پھرنا ہے . اس کے جسم کی آزادی اس کا اپنے گھر میں بغیر جسمانی تشدد کے رہنا ہے . اس کے جسم کی آزادی اس کا اپنا خیال کرنا ہے . اس کے جسم کی آزادی اس کا اپنی مرضی کا ​اوڑھنا پہننا ہے . اور یہ آزادی وہ سال کے ایک دن میں اگر مانگ ہی لیتی ہے ، تو ایسا ​واویلا ؟ اس کی اِس مرضی کو جرم کی شکل نہ دیں۔ اسے سنے ، اسے سمجھیں اور اپنی ذات کے خول سے باہر نکلیں… وہ جیسے احمد ندیم قاسمی نے کہا ہے؛

    کیوں بھی کہنا جرم ہے کیسے بھی کہنا جرم ہے سانس لینے کی تو آزادی میسر ہے مگر زندہ رہنے کیلئے انسان کو کچھ اور بھی درکار ہے اور اس کچھ اور بھی کا تذکرہ بھی جرم ہے۔

  • Javeria Saud’s ‘Aurat Gardi’ to reportedly be on Aurat March

    The first look of Javeria Saud and Alyy Khan’s Aurat Gardi was released Friday and the trailer of the web-series suggests that it is based on Aurat March.

    The trailer shows Javeria and Khan engaging in a heated debate over some of the play cards and slogans used during last year’s Aurat March that went viral, including one of the most debated slogan ‘Mera Jism Meri Marzi‘.

    As per details, Aurat Gardi will premiere on UrduFlix on April 2, 2021. The web-series has been directed by Awais Sulaman and produced by Rao Ayaz Shahzad with Farhan Gauher as Executive Producer.

    UrduFlix is Pakistan’s first Urdu OTT platform. It went live on March 5 and will provide viewers with access to original Urdu films, series, documentaries, cartoons, and Urdu dubbed Turkish dramas among other exclusively made shows for the platform. The first few shows on the platform would include the Mashal Khan starter Lifafa Dayaan, Hareem Shah starrer Raaz with a lot more to come. The first exclusively available show going up on the platform with its launch is Dulhan Aur 1 Raat featuring Alizeh Shah in the lead.

  • India qualify for ICC World Test Championship Final, will face NZ at Lord’s

    India has qualified for the inaugural ICC World Test Championship final after beating England with an innings and 25 runs in the fourth and final Test in Ahmedabad on Saturday.

    India outclassed England with both the bat and ball inside 3 days to set up the World Test Championship final against New Zealand in June.

    Resuming on their overnight score of 294 for 7, the hosts added another 71 runs on Day 3 thanks to Washington Sundar and Axar Patel’s 8th-wicket partnership to post 365 in their first innings.

    Having conceded a 160-run lead on day 3 of the contest, England needed a vastly improved batting performance in the second innings but another disappointing show saw them getting bundled out for 135 in the final session.

    Left-arm spinner Axar Patel picked up yet another five-wicket haul while Ravichandran Ashwin also grabbed 5 for Team India.

    India needed just a draw to reach the WTC final but a victory means they qualified for the summit clash in the top spot with 490 points. India registered 12 wins from 17 Tests, lost 4 and drew just 1 Test in the competition.

    No other team came close to matching India’s record. England had 11 wins from 21 Tests but still ended up in fourth place.

    Read more – Kevin Pietersen mocks Team India after Chennai loss against England

    New Zealand had already qualified for the WTC final with 420 points from 11 Tests with 7 wins and 4 losses.

    https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1368149627464118274?s=20

    The World Test Championship final will be played at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London from June 18.

  • Malala shares a list of her favourite TV shows, films

    If anything the pandemic induced quarantine gave everyone a chance to binge-watch endless TV shows and films. Malala Yousafzai, in a recent interactive session with her Instagram followers, asked them to share their recommendations and listed TV shows and movies she recently watched and enjoyed.

    Malala revealed that she recently watched and enjoyed The White TigerWolfwalkers and Soul.

    Read more – ‘Family-friendly’ movies you should NOT be watching with your family

    The White Tiger

    Based on Aravind Adiga’s book of the same name, The White Tiger explores poverty and class struggles in modern-day India. The book was published in 2008 and won the 40th Man Booker Prize in the same year. Meanwhile, the cast of the movie includes Priyanka Chopra-Jonas and Adarsh Gourav besides Rao. It has been directed by Ramin Bahrani. The final instalment in directors Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart’s “Irish folklore trilogy” 

    Wolfwalkers

    Wolfwalkers is an animated movie and has been directed by Tomm Moore, and Ross Stewart. Wolfwalkers is the final installment of the Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart’s “Irish folklore trilogy”.

    Soul

    Soul, produced by Disney, revolves around the Joe, who is a middle school band teacher , who suddenly finds his soul detached from his body. The movie premiered at the London Film Festival on October 11, 2020.

    Malala further revealed that she loved Boys State.

    “In this documentary, it’s amazing to see teenage boys act like established politicians,” said Malala. “Some have strong convictions based on their own experiences. Other boys will just say anything for power and to win the support of the crowd.”

    Malala added that she would love to see Girls State too.

    In December 2020, Malala joined TikTok to raise funds for her charity organisation.

  • Meghan’s ‘Suits’ co-star Patrick Adams defends Duchess, hits out at the Royal Family

    Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s tell-all interview with Oprah, scheduled to air on Sunday, has already kicked up a storm across the world. Right after the first teaser was released, formers members of her staff stepped forward and accused her of bullying after which Buckingham Palace said they will investigate the claims. With the world divided over Meghan, her Suits co-star Patrick J Adams stepped forward to defend the Duchess and has hit out at the Palace describing it as “archaic and toxic”.

    “Meghan Markle and I spent the better part of a decade working together on Suits,” wrote Adams on Twitter. “From day one she was an enthusiastic, kind, cooperative, giving, joyful and [a] supportive member of our television family.”

    He continued: “She remained that person and colleague as fame, prestige and power accrued. She has always been a powerful woman with a deep sense of morality and a fierce work ethic and has never been afraid to speak up, be heard and defend herself and those she holds dear. Like the rest of the world, I have watched her navigate the last few years in astonishment.”

    https://twitter.com/halfadams/status/1367882070098288642?s=20

    “She fell in love, moved to a new country, became a household name across the entire globe and began the difficult work of trying to find her place in a family dynamic that can at best be described as complicated and at worst, seemingly archaic and toxic,” added Adams.

    “It sickened me to read the endless racist, slanderous, click-baiting vitriol spewed in her direction from all manner of media across the UK and the world but I also knew that Meghan was stronger than people realised or understood and they would regret underestimating her.”

    He further said: “And then they welcomed Archie. And on any sort of decent planet that would be a time to stop sharpening the knives and let these two people enjoy the magical early months and years of starting a family. But we don’t live on that planet and instead, the hunt continued.”

    “It’s OBSCENE that the Royal Family, whose newest member is currently GROWING INSIDE OF HER, is promoting and amplifying accusations of “bullying” against a woman who was basically forced to flee the UK in order protect her family and her own mental health. IMO, this newest chapter and its timing is just another stunning example of the shamelessness of an institution that has outlived its relevance, is way overdrawn on credibility and apparently bankrupt of decency.

    “Find someone else to admonish, berate and torment,” concluded Adam. “My friend Meghan is way out of your league.”

    Meanwhile, Chrissy Teigen also extended her support to Meghan, saying: “This Meghan Markle s**t is hitting too close to home for me. These people won’t stop until she miscarries. Stop it.” Meghan has earlier miscarried in July.

    https://twitter.com/chrissyteigen/status/1367887213351043083?s=20

    Before they moved to California, the couple had complained about the British tabloids’ treatment of Meghan, whose father is white and mother is African-American, some of which they said amounted to bullying or racism.

    Earlier this month, Buckingham Palace announced that the couple would not be returning to their lives as working members of the royal family, adding that Harry will give up his honorary military titles.

  • From Larkana to PSL6: All you need to know about Shahnawaz Dahani

    From Larkana to PSL6: All you need to know about Shahnawaz Dahani

    The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has become a platform for many aspiring and young cricketers to fast track their cricket journey. Shadab Khan, Hassan Ali and Haris Rauf are just some players who have become superstars and made it to the national team after performing in PSL.

    This year, the player who caught everyone’s attention is 22-year old fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani – a young man from Larkana who has impressed everyone with his bowling skills and celebration style. Dahani was picked by Multan Sultans as an emerging player in the PSL6 draft and made his debut for Sultans during a game against Peshawar Zalmi. Since then, he has played three games and has taken two wickets in each of them.

    In an interview with Geo Super, the young cricketer opened up on his struggle, journey and future targets.

    Dahani is from a small village named Khuhawar Khan Dahani. Growing up, he used to play tape-ball cricket, barefooted, on an open and uneven field in his village.

    “I was passionate about bowling fast and was known in my village for my fast bowling, that’s why many there had named me 3G bowler – to relate the speed with the speed of the internet,” shared Dahani, adding that he knew nothing about professional cricket back then.

    Dahani said that he was invited to the U19 trials after some guests in his village witnessed him bowling with a tape ball.

    Recalling the moment, Dahani said when he was invited for the trials, he didn’t have any proper gear or shoes so he borrowed them from a friend and showed up to the trials. There he got selected to play inter-district U19 matches.

    Dahani, who has a B.Com Degree, said that his father wanted him to concentrate on his studies but his passion for the game pushed him to pursue it.

    “He [my father] is no more with us, but I am sure he would’ve been very proud today seeing me become the face of my village and bringing laurels” said Dahani.

    Dahani said when he completed the U19 season, he didn’t know there was a rule called “overage”. He showed up for trials again only to be told that he’s not eligible and needs to compete with seniors now.

    “I had no idea what had just happened, but I didn’t give up and made myself realise that if I have to compete, I will have to beat everyone” said the aspiring cricketer.

    After playing grade 2 cricket, he made his first-class debut last season and got 27 wickets in 8 games. His performance during the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy impressed many which is why he was picked as an emerging player by Multan Sultans.

    Talking about his PSL journey and future goals, Dahani said: “I want to be among [the] best bowlers here. I know it’s a tough competition but I am giving my best.”

    “Everyone has their eyes on PSL and your performances here are noticed. It paves your way to [the] national team [and] you become a true star only when you’ve Pakistan’s star donned on your chest,” added the cricketer.

    “Sharing a dressing room with players like Shahid Afridi, Imran Tahir, Carlos Brathwaite is confidence-boosting for me. To be with them, celebrate with them and share a dressing room is increasing my courage as a cricketer,” he said.

    Recalling his humble beginnings the fast bowler shared that he was so passionate about cricket that he never missed any game on TV.

    “There was no facility, proper cable or anything so we made makeshift arrangements with friends to watch cricket matches. I had memorised stats and [the] action of all the bowlers then,” he said, adding that he aims to emulate bowlers like Shane Bond and Jofra Archer who are his role models.

  • ‘Masterstroke’: Celebrities, cricketers jubilant over PM Imran’s Vote of Confidence

    ‘Masterstroke’: Celebrities, cricketers jubilant over PM Imran’s Vote of Confidence

    Fans and supporters of Prime Minister Imran Khan are celebrating his vote of confidence in the National Assembly of Pakistan with many expressing their delight over the development on social media. Several celebrities and cricketers including Farhan Saeed, Imran Abbas, Hadiqa Kiani, Waqar Younis and Mohammad Hafeez have also expressed their happiness and have thrown their weight behind him.

    “It wasn’t the first time, it won’t be the last. It’s such a difficult road, it’s such a difficult task,” said Farhan Saeed. “But if there’s anyone, who can do this, it’s you PM. We will do whatever it takes to give our future generations the Pakistan we all dreamt of.”

    Mohammad Hafeez termed the win a “Masterstroke,” while Waqar Younis said: “The tiger roars again. Congratulations skipper.”

    Earlier, the former cricketer and bowling coach of the Pakistan Cricket Team said that he loves PM Khan because of his “principles, honesty, and never give up attitude.”

    Sharing PM Khan’s picture on Twitter, YouTuber Shahveer Jafry wrote: “Checkmate.”

    Gohar Rasheed, Haroon Shahid, Fahad Mirza, Shaan, Anoushey Ashraf, Feroze Khan, Areeba Habib, and Omair Rana also expressed their excitement over PM Khan’s win.

    Similarly, actor Javeria Abbasi said: “I am Javeria Abbasi and my vote of confidence goes to one and only my skipper. I am confident that Imran Khan will never break the trust of Pakistanis, he will never cease to struggle for the betterment of Pakistan.”

    https://twitter.com/JaveriaAbasiPTI/status/1368058570256887808?s=20

    Hadiqa Kiani also celebrated Khan’s victory by sharing a picture of him. Earlier, in an exclusive interview with The Current, Kiani had said: “Pakistan is on the path to stability. I have all my hopes,” adding “A lot of people have lost hope but I still am hopeful.”

    After Pakistan Democratic Movement’s candidate Yousuf Raza Gilani emerged victorious against the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh in the Senate Elections, PM Khan in an address to the nation announced that he is going to seek a vote of confidence from the National Assembly. The premier said the vote of confidence will be held through the show of hand and that he will have no objection if any member of his party does not trust him, adding that his party would sit on opposition benches if they lose this time.

    Following his decision to seek a vote of confidence, celebrities including Shaan Shahid, Rohail Hyatt, Imran Abbas and Omair Rana had extended their support for the prime minister.

  • Peshawar University makes ‘shalwar kameez’ compulsory for female students

    The University of Peshawar has reinforced a dress code for students, first introduced in 2013.

    As per a notification issued by the university management, women must wear “white shalwar with kameez of their own choice, while men should wear decent/modest clothes.”

    The dress code is being implemented to “lessen the financial burden on the parents” said the university’s spokesperson while talking about the notification.

    Earlier in January, the Hazara University in Mansehra issued a new dress code for students, faculty members and administrative staff. In the notification, female students were advised to wear abaya/scarf/dupatta in neutral colours without any decorative material. The female students were also instructed to wear shalwar kameez with dupatta or chaddar.

  • Man climbs up electric pole after family fails to get him married

    Man climbs up electric pole after family fails to get him married

    A man in Sukkur climbed up an electric pole after his family failed to get him married. 

    As per details, Hanif hailing from Sukkur, a district of Sindh, climbed a pole of high tension wires after his family refused to get him married.

    The family of the youth is trying to convince him to come down.

    Talking to media, Hanif’s relatives said that he had again climbed the electric pole. Hanif has earlier climbed the pole four months ago.

    In a similar incident that happened in December, last year, a man had climbed up an electric pole to reportedly woo his angry wife in Sindh. Nadeem Jamali, a resident of Kandhkot, had climbed a pole of high-tension wires after his unhappy wife moved the court for Khula.